Ad — 728×90
🇺🇸United States

Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate sales tax amount and total price for any US state.

$
%

Results

Sales Tax$8.25
Total Price$108.25
Pre-Tax Price (from total)$92.38
Ad — 300×250

What is Sales Tax?

The Sales Tax Calculator helps you determine the total cost of a purchase including state and local sales tax in the United States. Unlike India's unified GST or Europe's VAT, US sales tax varies dramatically by state, county, and even city — ranging from 0% in some states to over 10% in certain cities.

Five states have no state sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska (though Alaska allows local taxes). The highest combined rates are in Louisiana (up to 11.45%), Tennessee (up to 9.75%), and Arkansas (up to 11.63% with local taxes).

Unlike VAT which is included in the displayed price, US sales tax is added at checkout — so a $99.99 item may cost $108.24 at the register if your combined rate is 8.25%. This calculator helps you know the real cost before buying.

Sales tax applies to most tangible goods but many states exempt groceries, prescription medications, and clothing (some states). Online purchases are subject to sales tax since the 2018 Wayfair decision.

Formula

Sales Tax Amount = Price × Tax Rate / 100 Total Price = Price + Tax Amount

To find pre-tax price from total: Pre-Tax Price = Total / (1 + Tax Rate / 100)

Example — $500 purchase at 8.25% tax rate: Tax = $500 × 8.25/100 = $41.25 Total = $541.25

Common state sales tax rates (state only, 2025): - California: 7.25% (+ local up to 10.75%) - Texas: 6.25% (+ local up to 8.25%) - New York: 4% (+ local up to 8.875%) - Florida: 6% (+ local up to 8.5%) - Illinois: 6.25% (+ local up to 11%) - Oregon: 0% - Montana: 0%

How to use this Sales Tax Calculator?

1. Enter the pre-tax price of your purchase. 2. Enter the combined sales tax rate for your location (state + local). Look this up on your state's tax authority website or use the Tax Foundation's rate tables. 3. See the tax amount and total cost.

Pro tip: For expensive purchases, buying in a lower-tax state or online (from a retailer without nexus in your state) can save significant money. A $50,000 car in Portland, OR (0%) vs Seattle, WA (10.25%) saves $5,125.

Frequently asked questions

Which US states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska. However, Alaska allows local jurisdictions to impose sales tax, so some areas in Alaska do have local sales tax.
Is there sales tax on groceries?
It varies by state. Most states exempt unprepared groceries. However, some states tax groceries at a reduced rate (Virginia 1%, Illinois 1%) or the full rate (Mississippi, Alabama). Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed in almost all states.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Since the 2018 Supreme Court Wayfair decision, most online retailers collect sales tax if they have economic nexus in your state (typically $100K+ in sales or 200+ transactions). If a retailer doesn't collect tax, you technically owe use tax in most states.
What is use tax?
Use tax is the sales tax you owe on purchases where the seller didn't collect sales tax — typically online or out-of-state purchases. The rate equals your local sales tax rate. Most states include a use tax line on their income tax forms.
What has the highest sales tax rate in the US?
The highest combined state + local rates are found in: Tacoma, WA (10.25%), Chicago, IL (10.25%), parts of Louisiana (11.45%), and parts of Alabama (up to 11%). These combine state rates with county, city, and special district taxes.
Is there sales tax on cars?
Yes, most states charge sales tax on vehicle purchases. Some states have special vehicle tax rates. Some also charge additional fees like title tax, registration tax, or ad valorem tax. This makes the total tax on cars 6-12% in most states.
Ad — 728×90